[Technical Data]

Keys and Keyseats

Reprinted from ASME B17.1-1967 (R1998), by permission of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. All rights reserved.

Contents
Introduction Key-Keyseat Assemblies
This standard establishes a uniform relationship between shaft size and key size for parallel and taper keys retaining similar basic sizing as found in the Class 1: A clearance or metal to metal side fit obtained by using bar stock keys and keyseat tolerances as shown in Table 2 a relatively free fit. This fit How to Use
withdrawn B17.1-1943 standard. This standard covers the size, type and tolerances of parallel and taper keys and keyseats, and their relationship to shaft applies only to parallel keys. the Catalog
diameters and bore diameters. The sizes and tolerances contained in this standard are intended for single key applications only. Key strength and steel
analysis entering into the makeup of stock for keys is not within the scope of this standard. Shaft diameters are listed for identification of various key sizes Linear
Class 2: A side fit (possible interference or clearance) obtained by using keystock and keyseat tolerances as shown in Table 3 a relatively tight fit.
Motion
and are not intended to establish shaft dimensions, tolerances or selections. This standard recognizes that there are two classes of stock for parallel keys
presently used by industry. One is a broad negative toleranced bar stock and the other is a close plus toleranced keystock. Each is combined with Class 3: A third type of fit not tabulated is an interference side fit. Since the degree of interference is not readily standardized for these applications, no Linear
Shafts
appropriate keyseat tolerances to establish assemblies, respectively, designated as Classes 1 and 2. specific values are included. However, it is suggested that the top and bottom fit range shown for parallel keys in Table 3 be used.

Bushings
Definitions Table 2 Class 1-Fit for Parallel Keys
Key Width Side Fit Top and Bottom Fit
Key: A demountable machinery part which, when assembled into keyseats, provides a positive means for transmitting torque between the shaft Shaft Supports
Type of Width Tolerance Depth Tolerance Shaft Collars
and hub. Fit Fit
Key Over To (Incl) Shaft Hub Range*
Bar Stock: General purpose, negative toleranced, cold finished steel stock for parallel keys. Key Keyseat Range* Key
Keyseat Keyseat Linear
+0.000 +0.002 0.004 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.032 CL Guides
Keystock: A close plus toleranced, cold finished steel stock for parallel keys. - 1/2
-0.002 -0.000 0.000 -0.002 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL
+0.000 +0.003 0.005 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.032 CL Rotary
Keyseat: An axially located rectangular groove in a shaft or hub. This may also be written as shaft keyseat or hub keyseat when describing the exact 1/2 3/4
-0.002 -0.000 0.000 -0.002 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL Motion
application. Hub keyseat has been sometimes referred to as a keyway. +0.000 +0.003 0.006 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.033 CL
3/4 1 Rotary
-0.003 -0.000 0.000 -0.003 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL Shafts
Square
+0.000 +0.004 0.007 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.033 CL
1 1-1/2
-0.003 -0.000 0.000 -0.003 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL Bearings w/
Key Size Versus Shaft Diameter +0.000 +0.004 0.008 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.034 CL Housings
1-1/2 2-1/2
Square keys are preferred through 6-1/2 inch diameter shafts and rectangular keys for larger shafts. Sizes and dimensions in unshaded area are preferred. -0.004 -0.000 0.000 -0.004 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL
Pulleys
If special considerations dictate the use of a keyseat in the hub shallower than the preferred nominal depth shown in Table 1, it is recommended that the +0.000 +0.004 0.010 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.036 CL Belts
2-1/2 3-1/2
-0.006 -0.000 0.000 -0.006 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL Couplings
tabulated preferred nominal standard keyseat be used in the shaft in all cases.
+0.000 +0.002 0.005 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.033 CL
- 1/2 Locating
-0.003 -0.000 0.000 -0.003 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL
+0.000 +0.003 0.006 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.033 CL Components
1/2 3/4 Locating
H/2 -0.003 -0.000 0.000 -0.003 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL
Pins &
H +0.000 +0.003 0.007 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.034 CL Bushings
3/4 1
H/2 -0.004 -0.000 0.000 -0.004 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL
+0.000 +0.004 0.008 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.034 CL Locating
1 1-1/2 Components
-0.004 -0.000 0.000 -0.004 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL
W Rectangular
+0.000 +0.004 0.009 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.035 CL
1-1/2 3
-0.005 -0.000 0.000 -0.005 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL General
+0.000 +0.004 0.010 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.036 CL Components
Table 1 Key Size Versus Shaft Diameter 3 4
-0.006 -0.000 0.000 -0.006 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL Pivot Pins
Nominal Shaft Diameter Nominal Key Size Nominal Keyseat Depth +0.000 +0.004 0.012 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.038 CL Floating Joints
Height, H H/2 4 6
Over To (Incl) Width, W -0.008 -0.000 0.000 -0.008 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL
Square Rectangular Square Rectangular Posts
+0.000 +0.004 0.017 CL +0.000 +0.000 +0.010 0.043 CL Device Stands
6 7
5/16 7/16 3/32 3/32 3/64 -0.013 -0.000 0.000 -0.013 -0.015 -0.000 0.005 CL Strut Clamps
7/16 9/16 1/8 1/8 3/32 1/16 3/64 *Limits of variation, CL= Clearance All dimensions given in inches. Angle Plates
9/16 7/8 3/16 3/16 1/8 3/32 1/16 Gussets
7/8 1-1/4 1/4 1/4 3/16 1/8 3/32 Table 3 Class 2-Fit for Parallel and Taper Keys
Welded Stands
1-1/4 1-3/8 5/16 5/16 1/4 5/32 1/8
Key Width Side Fit Top and Bottom Fit Washers
1-3/8 1-3/4 3/8 3/8 1/4 3/16 1/8 Collars
Type of Width Tolerance Depth Tolerance
1-3/4 2-1/4 1/2 1/2 3/8 1/4 3/16 Fit Fit
Key Over To (Incl) Shaft Hub Range*
2-1/4 2-3/4 5/8 5/8 7/16 5/16 7/32 Key Keyseat Range* Key
Keyseat Keyseat Manifolds
2-3/4 3-1/4 3/4 3/4 1/2 3/8 1/4
+0.001 +0.002 0.002 CL +0.001 +0.000 +0.010 0.030 CL
3-1/4 3-3/4 7/8 7/8 5/8 7/16 5/16 - 1-1/4
-0.000 -0.000 0.001 INT -0.000 -0.015 -0.000 0.004 CL Urethanes
3-3/4 4-1/2 1 1 3/4 1/2 3/8
4-1/2 5-1/2 1-1/4 1-1/4 7/8 5/8 7/16 Parallel +0.002 +0.002 0.002 CL +0.002 +0.000 +0.010 0.030 CL Rubbers
1-1/4 3
5-1/2 6-1/2 1-1/2 1-1/2 1 3/4 1/2 Square -0.000 -0.000 0.002 INT -0.000 -0.015 -0.000 0.003 CL
+0.003 +0.002 0.002 CL +0.003 +0.000 +0.010 0.030 CL
6-1/2 7-1/2 1-3/4 1-3/4 1-1/2∗ 7/8 3/4 3 3-1/2 Plates
-0.000 -0.000 0.003 INT -0.000 -0.015 -0.000 0.002 CL
7-1/2 9 2 2 1-1/2 1 3/4
9 11 2-1/2 2-1/2 1-3/4 1-1/4 7/8 +0.001 +0.002 0.002 CL +0.005 +0.000 +0.010 0.035 CL
- 1-1/4
11 13 3 3 2 1-1/2 1 -0.000 -0.000 0.001 INT -0.005 -0.015 -0.000 0.000 CL Misc.
Parallel +0.002 +0.002 0.002 CL +0.005 +0.000 +0.010 0.035 CL
13 15 3-1/2 3-1/2 2-1/2 1-3/4 1-1/4 1-1/4 3
Rectangular -0.000 -0.000 0.002 INT -0.005 -0.015 -0.000 0.000 CL
15 18 4 3 1-1/2
18 22 5 3-1/2 1-3/4 +0.003 +0.002 0.002 CL +0.005 +0.000 +0.010 0.035 CL Technical
3 7
22 26 6 4 2 -0.000 -0.000 0.003 INT -0.005 -0.015 -0.000 0.000 CL Data
26 30 7 5 2-1/2 +0.001 +0.002 0.002 CL +0.005 +0.000 +0.010 0.005 CL
- 1-1/4
*
-0.000 -0.000 0.001 INT -0.000 -0.015 -0.000 0.025 INT Business
Some Key standards show 1-1/4 in. Preferred size is 1-1/2 in. All dimensions given in inches. Information
+0.002 +0.002 0.002 CL +0.005 +0.000 +0.010 0.005 CL
Taper 1-1/4 3
-0.000 -0.000 0.002 INT -0.000 -0.015 -0.000 0.025 INT
+0.003 +0.002 0.002 CL +0.005 +0.000 +0.010 0.005 CL
3 ∆ Index
-0.000 -0.000 0.003 INT -0.000 -0.015 -0.000 0.025 INT
*Limits of variation, CL= Clearance, INT=Interference
All dimensions given in inches.
∆ To (Incl) 3-1/2 Square and 7 Rectangular Key widths.

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